Sushi Kushi Toyo

This is the definition of Americanized sushi. Everything was variations of cream cheese and rice rolled up. The fried calamari was squid rings turned inside out and slightly burnt.

Highly recommend the lunch bento box so yummy with a choice of beef chicken or salmon teriyaki, shrimp tempura and fried rice and 3 pieces of sushi… super yummy… served with miso soup

This used to be our go-​to sushi restaurant for the best sushi in the area. I reluctantly gave it another try last week after we had had a very mediocre experience a few months ago at this restaurant. The sushi place I prefer was very booked and we couldn’t get in. The quality of the fish last week at sushi kushi was unimpressive– barely adequate– and on a Friday night. It just wasn’t fresh and bright tasting– not flavorful. That’s not good. The bottom line is that there are a number of far better sushi choices now in this area and I simply can’t justify returning here, which is very sad. This place used to be great. No longer.

Sushi Kushi is the best ever. They are so popular now that Friday lunch has a wait so tell your boss it’s long lunch time. Fresh sushi, great macha tea, friendly staff.

Great food. Horrible service. Thankfully, the food greatly makes up for the service and I’m not one of those obnoxious Unilocalers that constantly downgrades great restaurants.

UPDATE–
I had to remove one star after several more visits. The food remains excellent but they need to work on customer service. Though the actual servers are fine it all is often disorganized. We had reservations and yet were forced to stand jammed at the entrance as several people who came in after us with no reservations were seated before us. Then I had to wait for take out orders to be paid for and picked up prior to finally being seated. When we were seated we were not given menus. No music was being played and we were seated by loud children which frankly was just a little annoying. Out server did a fine job but she was put behind the eight ball by those working the entrance and seating patrons. Food remains excellent.
Original review:
We have been going to the Sushi Kushi Toyo’s sister restaurant Sushi Kushi Too for years. We have enjoyed it very much and now have visited the original Sushi Kushi Yoyo about a half dozen times. It is quite surprising how different the two menus are, even items that span both menus are prepared totally differently. So Sushi Kushi Toyo is its own thing and should be looked at as a separate and unique entity even if you have past experience with one of its cousins.
It is much larger than Sushi Kushi Too and went under a fairly extensive renovation last year. There are three separate dining rooms, the main original room, a middle slightly over lit room and a side more swanky room that seems to be used for private events or on busy nights. Of course the same menu is served in all rooms. The décor is perfectly nice in any of the rooms but that is not why you visit.
The food is why you come and the menu is extensive, frankly a little too large. It takes a long time to wade through it all and that can be a sign of not doing things well (too little focus) however I am happy to report that is not the case here. Sushi Kushi Toyo is likely the best suburban sushi restaurant you will find and on a food only basis can stand up to some of the best down town spots as well.
Try and avoid the cream cheese and mayo laden Americanized options and stick with the straight Japanese choices that are executed very well. Also look for the daily specials they have on display up front, often they are the best selections. On a recent trip I had a nigiri special that included Tuna Toro (fatty tuna), Sake Toro (fatty Salmon) and Amberjack… it was so good I ordered THREE of them.
The prices are quite reasonable for the quality and it is very family friendly… it is great that there is such a good sushi option out in the burbs. Although we live downtown I find myself craving Sushi Kushi from time to time and actually driving out to the burbs to have it.

Sushi Kushi is one of the BEST Sushi Restaurants in Illinois! Now that I live in the city, its hard for me to drive to Lake Forest, I really wish they had a location in Chicago.
My absolute favorite dish is the AVOCADO SALAD.
Love you guys !

This restaurant is delicious. We have already been several times, after recently moving here from the San Francisco Bay Area. Reasonably priced for this area and always fresh. Although located in a neighborhood center, there is plenty of parking. We have been on a Friday night without reservations and always been seated as well, but I do recommend calling in first.

I’ve been here a few times and the sushi is always very good. It’s fresh and well prepared. Sashimi is also very good. Never had a bad experience or bad service. The staff has always been very friendly. I go for the more spicy dishes but they have «basic» ones as well for those of you who don’t like spice. Even though it’s in Lake Forest and it’s a sushi place, it’s not too pricey. Definitely recommend if you are in the area and craving some sushi/​sashimi! :)

Food indeed is good in this suburb setting. Cashier lady’s service is not up to par. No hi. No thank you. Never confirm order items. Never tell price total for pickup orders. Really, NEVER! Mixed up my to-​go order yesterday. :(sad

Excellent… Clean, creative affordable and my favorite sushi in Illinois… Great staff, nice atmosphere, a tad busy, even on Mondays, but that’s a good thing

Great atmosphere and phenomenal food. Only down side is that we didn’t get much attention from the waitress.
Drinks took a while to get refilled, and the food took an even longer. They also brought the food out in increments. Two of my friends (party of 4) received their food about 10 min before the rest of us.
Over all though, the food was well worth the wait and the price. I highly recommend their House Bono Bowl!

Another great dinner at Sushi Kushi in Lake Forest. The sushi is always fantastic here. Nothing better in the north shore. Service is alway good too!

One of the most consistent and fair priced Japanese in the Northshore. it can be as expensive as you want or inexpensive depending on your mood for authentic sushi/​sashimi made by Japanese chefs or cooked foods from the kitchen such as my favorite Chicken Katsu Don. Always a favorite for my family where it’s a quick meal or family get together.
I do miss the sister restaurant Niku Niku which used to be across the street in another mall.

We love authentic Japanese food and, in the greater Chicago area, this is the place to go. Amoungst native Japanese people living in the area, Sushi-​Kushi is tops. Up until a few. years ago, my wife, who incidentally is Japanese, and I lived 60 miles north up in Milwaukee. We learned of this place through an acquaintance of my wife so, we made the drive one weekend and its been a favorite of ours ever since. By the way, on our first visit, we found ourselves unexpectedly sitting next to two other couples we knew who were also from Milwaukee.
They have your Dragon rolls, and your avocado rolls, as that’s what us gaijin have come to expect in Japanese dining. But they also your less popular sea erchin and eel, and its all fresh and authentically prepared.

A co-​worker of mine and I came here for dinner on a Wednesday evening. We didn’t have to make reservations and was able to get a table for the two of us. It wasn’t too crowded for dinner at 5:30pm.
My co-​worker and I both started with one of their sushi appetizers. it was both salmon and tuna sashimi in a specific sauce. It was REALLY good. For entrée, we each ordered 3 rolls. I don’t remember all the rolls — one was a sake roll, one was a volcano, and I think the last was a Lake Forest roll? Overall I felt the sushi rolls were decent. it wasn’t the best sushi I’ve had but it wasn’t bad. We stayed and talked for a long while and we didn’t get kicked out. Although they did stop filling our waters after we paid.
I had a good time, average sushi, cute place inside. Parking is easy since they have a lot.

Service was ok cause we had to ask for drinks to be refilled and to get dessert. Plenty of parking and no signal for your cell phone inside. The restaurant is huge, having plenty of seating for your guests.
This place is the only authentic Japanese restaurant in the area where most of the Japanese from Japan go to!!!
The food is fresh and tasty. You get what you pay for. They have a great assortment of sushi and noodle dishes. No sushi buffet here. The fish is fresh and tastes good. The salmon with the bento box was char grilled topped with teriyaki sauce. The tempura shrimp and vegetables were great crisp and fresh! The potato in the bento box was mashed fresh with a clean taste. They have a great assortment of alcoholic drinks to suit anyone! The food price is not cheap here. The bento boxes start at $ 21.
I will come here again to try their other entrees.

The strip mall strikes AGAIN.
Having some time to kill, and looking for a decent lunch, I stumbled upon Sushi Kushi Toyo. If the name doesn’t get ya, I’m not sure what will.
I sat at the bar and admired all the rolls being delivered to various tables. After looking at the menu, I settled on the Dragon Fire and some salmon sashimi.
Dragon Fire-​crab & cucumber inside with shrimp avocado, spicy flakes, caviar, and spicy mayo. Not super hot and perfect for lunch.
Every time a different roll walked past me, I remember thinking the same thing.
The rolls are hearty, fish is fresh, and the combinations are a nice change to your standard California Roll.
Beer was flowing, edamame was being chomped on, and I was ready for my afternoon.
If you are in the posh neighborhood of Lake Forest and you find yourself tired from seeing the amazing houses, stop by Sushi Kushi Toyo. It won’t disappoint.

Went there for lunch on saturday. No wait, not crowded at all.
Ordered Agedashi Tofu and their Chilean Seabass Teriyaki. If you like fish, i highly recommend their seabass! Very fresh.
If you have been to Sushi Kushi San, you’ll realize Toyo is not as upbeat as San. Everything was kinda slow… But food and quality wise, Toyo is prob still a bit better.
****by the way, there is no cell phone signal in the restaurant****

I’ve only been here once but based on what I tried, I think Sushi Kushi Toyo is the best place for Japanese non-​sushi food around the area. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back.
The agedashi tofu had four large pieces of tofu in a dashi and soy sauce broth topped with grated daikon (white carrot), green onions, and seaweed. Despite the tofu sitting in broth, the fried outside portion did not become soggy and start falling off which can often be the problem with agedashi tofu. I was pretty impressed by this appetizer.
For my entrée I ordered the chicken katsu and didn’t expect much since it’s a pretty standard dish. To my surprise, the chicken was breaded wonderfully. Light and crispy golden brown on the outside with juicy and tender chicken on the inside. The vegetables were simply steamed and pretty bland to be honest. It would help if they added some salt or any other flavoring to it. I really enjoyed the mashed potatoes though. It had great texture and flavor but didn’t feel overly heavy like American mashed potatoes.
A little on the expensive side but considering this is Lake Forest I shouldn’t be complaining. Planning to come back soon!